Friday April 21, 2023
12:00-1:00pm, Digital Auditorium
-
Designing 3D printed columns for separations
By Dorothy Haas Faculty Mentor: Sarah Smith Abstract The column of a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) instrument is the main piece of its separation power. The different elution times of constituents of a sample are based on the components of the column. 3D printing an HPLC column allows for direct manipulation of the column components.…
-
Determination of Pyridoxine and Riboflavin Concentrations in Energy Drinks
By Adrian Coello, Charlea Kimbleton, and Emma Najdzionek Faculty Mentor: Sarah Smith Abstract Energy drink consumption has grown dramatically on college campuses in the past few years. While the main ingredient in these drinks is caffeine; they also contain high amounts of B vitamins pyridoxine and riboflavin. The effects of the caffeine in these drinks…
-
Determinations of Nitrate and Nitrite in the Rappahannock and James with UV/Vis Spectroscopy
By Rebecca Bowers, Sophie Elliot, Ksenia Mangino, David Nichols Faculty Mentor: Sarah Smith Abstract Excess fertilizer runoff or waste containing ammonium nitrate can cause an uptick in algal blooms in waterways, which leads to rivers becoming oxygen starved and nutrient deficient. While the EPA limits quantify dangerous levels of nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) in…
-
Differential Gene Expression in Myotonic Dystrophy
By Anna Harris Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ginny Morriss Abstract Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic disorder that progressively decreases muscle function in approximately 1 in 8,000 individuals worldwide. Expansion of CTG repeats in the 3’ untranslated region of Dystrophia Myotonica-Protein Kinase (DMPK) gene is ultimately responsible for the skeletal muscle wasting phenotype in…
-
Drosophila melanogaster para gene knockdown and lithium effects on symptoms
By Natasha Lebert, Jessica Agbeve, Asifa Mossavi Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ginny Morriss Abstract The purpose of this research is to find out whether or not LiCl will reduce seizure symptoms in flies with a para gene knockdown. Certain gene mutations and gene knockdowns in Drosophila melanogaster give rise to symptoms that resemble epilepsy. Previous studies…
-
Drosophila melanogaster para gene knockdown and lithium effects on symptoms
By Natasha Lebert, Jessica Agbeve, Asifa Mossavi Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ginny Morriss Abstract The purpose of this research is to find out whether or not LiCl will reduce seizure symptoms in flies with a para gene knockdown. Certain gene mutations and gene knockdowns in Drosophila melanogaster give rise to symptoms that resemble epilepsy. Previous studies…
-
Endothelial Tube Maintenance & Analysis in a HUVEC Cell Model for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1
By Jada Gundy, Arshpreet Brar Faculty Mentor: Ginny Morriss Abstract Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multi-systemic condition that results in severe muscle weakening and wasting. DM1 is caused by an expanded region of CTG repeats in the DMPK gene, resulting in expression of a toxic CUG repeat-containing RNA. While the primary DM1 mutation…
-
Evaluating coral Sr/Ca using ICP-AES as a cost-effective geochemical analysis for paleotemperature reconstructions
By Jacob Cantor and Jessica Oberlies Faculty Mentor: Pamela Grothe Abstract Geochemical records from modern and fossil corals are excellent proxies of environmental conditions. Coral strontium/calcium ratios (Sr/Ca) are reliable recorders of sea surface temperature, and, when paired with coral oxygen isotopes (δ18O), we can also determine sea surface salinity. Corals incorporate both Sr and…
-
Factors Affecting Total and Bioavailable Concentrations of Trace Metals in Surface Soils in the Kingston, Jamaica, Region
By Katherine Cook, Faith Jones, and Anna Velardi Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melanie Szulczewski Abstract This study investigated background levels of concerning metals in a variety of soils in and near Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. Minimal soil sample collection and analysis had occurred since a 1988 island-wide geochemical survey revealed very high concentrations of total…
-
Fluorescence Spectroscopic Analysis of Proton Pump Inhibitors
By Emma Jones Faculty Mentor: Janet Asper, Randall Reif Abstract Fluorescence microscopy is commonly used to visualize the process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in living cells. Previous studies have shown that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole, have the ability to induce apoptosis in cells due to the buildup of H+ ions…
